A Guide to the American Rottweiler Dog Breed

Adult Rottweiler lying on the wooden bridge, natural summer forest background

Breed Introduction

If you’re planning on adopting an American Rottweiler, you’ll need to do your research. To be a great Rottweiler puppy parent and look after your furry friend, you should have proper information about the breed.

What Breed Is the American Rottweiler?

Like all ancient dogs, Rottweiler breeds are quite popular worldwide, especially in their countries of origin, Germany and America. The American Rottweiler dog breed is a cross-breed between the German Shepherd and pure-bred German Rottweiler.

Originally, all Rottweiler dogs belonged to Germany. It was only later that they came to America for cross-breeding with other dogs. That’s why all Rottweilers (pure-bred) are German Rottweiler. On top of that, nationality also comes into play when referring to the Rottweiler breeds. For instance, Rottweilers (pure-bred) bred in Germany are German Rottweilers. Similarly, if a Rottweiler is bred in America, it’s an American Rottweiler.

The American Kennel Club breeds several kinds of dogs in the US, including the Rottweiler. However, there are no strict breeding standards or regulations when it comes to breeding Rottweilers. Inadequate regulation is the most prominent cause for the birth of dogs with possible health or physical defects. Considering that, if you were to look at the German Allgemeiner Deutscher Rottweiler Klub (ADRK), you would notice that there are major differences in the breeding procedures and standards.

The disparity shouldn’t come as a surprise. After all, the Rottweiler has primarily belonged to the German region since ancient times, which signifies the importance of thorough and proper breeding standards. In America, on the other hand, a lack of appropriate regulation has led to a persistent debate on the number and types of Rottweiler breeds that exist.

What Are the Personality Traits of the American Rottweiler?

In simple words, three main qualities accurately define American and other properly-trained Rottweiler breeds: courage, calmness, and confidence. Interestingly, being strong has made the Rottweiler extremely cautious and less shy compared to other ancient and muscularly-toned dog breeds. Although they are courageous, they don’t make friends with other dog breeds or humans immediately.

The American Rottweiler has a unique personality. A big Rottweiler will take its time and notice the situation around itself before engaging in any social or domestic activity, whether with their owners or any new faces. Nevertheless, the American Rottweiler is extremely protective of his kin and family. Still, it doesn’t mean that they are aggressive all the time. In reality, the American Rottweiler has a heightened sense of safeguarding their family and being highly protective of their babies. Again, they are only aggressive when there’s a probable cause, such as someone being a potential threat to their owners, family, and babies.

As a baby, the Rottweiler breed has a protective and working instinct, which has been the primary reason for its popularity since ancient times. However, the American Rottweiler can be extremely stubborn when controlling them, whether outdoors, indoors, or somewhere they haven’t been before. Despite their calmness and muscular capabilities, they can be irrational and aggressive without proper behavioral training and treatment.

But even so, most dog lovers still prefer to adopt an American Rottweiler because they’re quite easy to train and look after. Since they are affectionate to their owners, it’s unlikely for most dog lovers to have a hard time handling them.

As for the personality traits of the American Rottweiler, you must know that they are highly social and prefer exposure to the most common types of human interactions and surroundings. For example, dog breeders and expert caretakers suggest exposing Rottweiler puppies to various people, surroundings, environments, and conditions. In simple words, as a dog parent, you must be considerate and capable of polishing your dog’s social skills.

When it comes to the American Rottweiler’s temperament, the breed is curious and playful, especially around middle age. They love to come out and play, but only with people they know and love. The dogs take their time before deciding to become friends with someone, and pet owners should take this trait seriously, especially when adopting a Rottweiler.

Rottweiler puppy in grass

What Makes the American Rottweiler Unique?

The distinguishing physical features of the American Rottweiler include long legs. Their most prominent behavioral quality is extreme loyalty to their owners and caretakers. Sometimes American Rottweilers can be overprotective and require their owners’ complete attention. More interestingly, they were drovers for ancient Romans, and it makes sense, considering their powerful and defensive characteristics.

History of the American Rottweiler

American Rottweiler dogs are descendants of German Rottweiler dogs, which have been present in Germany since ancient times. They were guard dogs and drovers for many Romans at the time.

Origin of the American Rottweiler

Dating back to the age of the Roman Empire, the Rottweiler is among the oldest dog breeds. They originated in Germany, which explains the name “German Rottweiler.” On the other hand, the origins of the American Rottweiler highlight that they are a domestic dog breed existing for centuries when they served a variety of household and outdoor purposes. From commercial activities to household protection, American Rottweilers did it all.

Despite contradicting sources of information, it seems the first pack of German Rottweiler dogs indeed came to the US sometime around the 1920s. That explains why the American Kennel Club (AKC) recognized the breed in 1931.

Ancient and Modern Uses of the Rottweiler

The Rottweiler descends from the family of the working dog breeds left behind once the Romans abandoned Germany and several surrounding regions. But even so, German Rottweilers have a reputation as domesticated dogs, whether you look at their modern-day status or that among the ancient Romans. In ancient times, butchers used Rottweiler dogs to carry money pouches around their neck, which helped them make transactions quite safely. Besides this, Rottweiler dogs’ protective and strong nature made them highly suitable for herding livestock, whether sheep, cows, or more.

Apart from carrying butchers’ money through the Roman markets, Rottweiler dogs were strong enough to pull carts. Centuries later, the strength and vigor of the Rottweiler breed gained immense attention during the Second World War, when there was a significant shortage of war dogs on the battlefield and headquarters.

Today, the American Rottweiler, descendants of the German Rottweiler dogs, is robust and well-built to safeguard households. From carrying money in ancient Germany’s Roman markets and serving as military dogs during the Second World War to becoming guardians and playful pets of modern homes, Rottweiler dogs have shared a close bond with humans.

The American Rottweiler’s Grouping Status

The American Rottweiler belongs to the working group in the vast dog kingdom. Their ancient uses and jobs are principle evidence of how they became a part of the working dog breed group. Their physical abilities and strength make them suitable to fall under the working group category. On the other hand, professional breeders also group American Rottweilers as per their size.

A male Rottweiler dog can reach heights of 24-27 inches, while a female Rottweiler can be 22-25 inches tall. Accordingly, male Rottweiler dogs weigh up to 130 pounds (healthy and not suffering from obesity), while female Rottweiler dogs weigh nearly 115 pounds, or somewhere around 85 pounds. As the American Rottweiler is a working group dog breed, it still serves as a search and rescue dog and for safeguarding property.

Controversies Surrounding the American Rottweiler

Even though the American Rottweiler doesn’t have any significant controversies in their history, they were quite popular as military dogs during World War II. Conversely, they were also defamed in several countries for their forceful bites and the ability to hold onto their target for very long periods, whether an animal, human, or an object.

American Rottweiler Intelligence

The American Rottweiler is a smart and highly intelligent dog breed. While they don’t have the highest IQ, they surely possess a certain level of intelligence which makes them excellent household pets. For dog lovers, the American Rottweiler’s ability to learn, adapt, and understand makes them a suitable option for adoption. Regardless of their stubbornness, a common factor among untrained and ill-treated dogs, they are easy to train and don’t give pet owners a hard time. Of course, their sex plays an important role in how well you can teach them. While male dogs are calm and observant, female Rottweilers are also easy to train.

Since an American Rottweiler needs plenty of training and exercise to grow big and strong, intelligence is crucial. Even though there are no specific rules of thumb to measure the IQ of every American Rottweiler, several authorities have claimed that the dog breed is among the top 10 smartest breeds. Moreover, a Rottweiler dog is so intelligent that they establish a unique and special bond with their favorite person.

Being a household pet, a Rottweiler can develop a special bond with their parent, family friend, or even a child at home. Through this special bond, Rottweiler dogs develop greater protective instincts that help them to be more courageous and powerful. To help you learn, try to notice a Rottweiler’s tail moving. American Rottweiler dogs love wiggling their tail around their favorite person. Of course, with intelligence comes a distinct personality, which calls for a habit of being around people and other dog breeds.

Socializing skills are the manifestation of intelligence because they can fuel an American Rottweiler dog’s needs for as many interactions as possible. From hearing strange environmental sounds to playing with fellow breed dogs, American Rottweiler dogs can develop a sense of loneliness and depression if you leave them without human interactions or in solitude.

Rotweiler in park playing tug of war

American Rottweiler-Specific Health Conditions

Like any other domestic dog breed that fulfills outdoor jobs, American Rottweiler dogs are prone to several health issues and diseases. No American Rottweiler owner can ignore the need for proper veterinary care. That’s why we have outlined a straightforward guide, providing you with all the necessary information that you must possess before adopting a cute and courageous little American Rottweiler.

Neurological and Psychological Health of the American Rottweiler

Neurological Diseases and Disorders

There’s a list of neurological diseases and disorders that generally affect dogs. On the other hand, several neurological health issues are a serious concern for most big dog breeds, especially the American Rottweiler. To start, you must know the symptoms of severe neurological health issues. This way, you can immediately spot them in your American Rottweiler puppy. Serious symptoms include weaknesses, tremors, excessive sleepiness, seizures, and imbalances. If you’ve already noticed these signs and symptoms before or now, you should immediately consult your pup’s veterinarian. Otherwise, read on to learn more about one of the major neurological conditions that affects bigger American Rottweiler dogs and Rottweiler puppies.

Have you noticed any changes in how your cute American Rottweiler puppy walks? If so, there are serious chances it may be suffering from Wobbler Syndrome or Wobbler disease, as most experts call it. The medical term for Wobbler Syndrome is Cervical Spondylomyelopathy. It can lead to your American Rottweiler dog or puppy developing an unusual gait. The cause includes damage to the nerves and spinal cord in the neck vertebrae.

An unusual gait can cause your American Rottweiler to fall frequently or walk in an unusual gait. The symptom happens because their brain isn’t receiving electrical impulses due to the blockage. As a result, your American Rottweiler will lose feeling in its legs. Non-medication treatment options include physical rehabilitation, neck braces, exercise programs, and more.

It’s a disease of the neck that can be extremely painful for your lovely American Rottweiler, having a serious impact on its life. That’s one of the main reasons American Rottweiler owners seek immediate care and veterinary support for their puppy if they notice any unusual symptoms. It can cause severe neurological discrepancies as a cognitive issue since the feet and neck will be moving and sending electrical signals, but due to the blockage, the brain won’t receive them. While many neurological disorders can affect dog breeds, Wobbler Syndrome scares dog owners the most.

Rottweiler dogs are the most highly affected by this neurological health issue. When the neck vertebrae move in the wrong direction and exert compression over the spinal cord, the associated spinal nerve roots experience intense pressure. The pressure causes chronic neck pain and severe nervous system deficits. Thus, it also increases the chances of potential immune system-related conditions and other neurological disorders. Surprisingly, younger American Rottweiler puppies can experience this health issue early. Therefore, look for signs that can help you take proactive measures before any serious damage occurs. This way, you can start providing appropriate care early on, ensuring that your American Rottweiler gets his strength back.

Although the symptoms of this disease, such as neck pain, movement disabilities, etc., can manifest later, the onset of this neurological disease can occur at an early age. Your American Rottweiler should get regular checkups for early diagnosis by following a proper schedule. It can ensure timely diagnosis to protect your pup’s health.

The rear limbs are the first to experience negative health effects on the entire body. Slowly, this can progress towards the front limbs. If the disease has gone to the extent of being chronic, your American Rottweiler might even have trouble getting up because of his uncoordinated gait. Because your American Rottweiler can no longer get enough exercise, he will lose muscle mass in the rear legs. Without proper intervention, this loss of muscle tone may progress to the front limbs. At this point, your Rottweiler may start dragging its feet across the floor to move, which makes the toenails susceptible to damage.

As the period of inactivity persists, your American Rottweiler may start losing muscle mass around the shoulders. To make matters worse, he will experience immense pain due to the condition, gradually increasing. Fortunately, there’s a range of treatment options and methods to alleviate your American Rottweiler’s symptoms.

Before jumping into the treatment tips, keep in mind that diet and nutritional deficiencies don’t play much of a role here. Excessive protein or calcium intake isn’t yet a proven cause of the Wobbler Syndrome in many big dog breeds, including the American Rottweiler. On top of that, expert scientists and dog breed veterinarians thought that perhaps body structure and deformities predispose American Rottweilers to develop Wobbler Syndrome, but this wasn’t the case.

Non-medication treatment options usually allow physical rehabilitation for your American Rottweiler, which generally involves limited and restricted movements. Consistent exercise-based treatment for several months can show effective results. However, there’s no guarantee that it will happen in a specific period. Aside from this, anti-inflammatory drugs are the most common medication treatment option for this cognitive health issue. As the owner, you can purchase soft bedding for your American Rottweiler. A cushioned bed can help prevent any sudden or unnecessary movement in their body that can cause pain. Surgeries usually take a short while but require extensive aftercare, which can last as long as 2 to 3 months.

Stress

What is stress in American Rottweiler dogs? It’s a commonly used word to describe different sorts of mental pressure and strains that harm both physical and emotional health. Just as humans are susceptible to a wide range of health conditions due to stress, the same goes for big dog breeds that love to play around and socialize. The American Rottweiler also experiences anxiety due to several causes and high-tension situations.

When you meet new people, you might feel a bit stressed or even slightly nervous. Your American Rottweiler feels the same, even if they are innately courageous and protective. You can check for a large range of symptoms and signs to know whether or not your American Rottweiler is experiencing stress or anxiety.

For instance, your American Rottweiler may start pacing, or exhibit body shakes when under stress. This symptom isn’t a normal shake that you see after bathing your tough American Rottweiler. Also, it’s nothing similar to when they roll in the grass outdoors. American Rottweiler puppies and adults can experience a lot of shaking and pacing at a veterinary clinic or any new place. The stress influence can cause the body to produce nonstop shakes, which may seem harmless, but learning the difference is vital.

Besides shaking, the American Rottweiler is also very vocal when under stress and starts barking or whining loudly. It may whine when it experiences anxiety due to potential threats that it may perceive in its new surroundings. You will notice that it happens when you board a plane, or it’s your first time taking your American Rottweiler to a shopping center or playground that’s full of new people. In these types of situations, high or sensitive-pitched vocalization can be a sign of aggravating stress that can take a toll on your Rottweiler.

In case you notice any sudden posture changes in your American Rottweiler, you must realize that it’s an unmistakable sign of stress in mainly any case. Therefore, doing what’s best to relax your American Rottweiler is the right approach. American Rottweiler puppies also drool, lick, and yawn extensively under the influence of severe stress. The pupils also appear dilated, and American Rottweiler dogs blink rapidly. To note more precisely, see if your Rottweiler puppy looks startled. Furthermore, be mindful of how much coat your American Rottweiler sheds. If your Rottweiler pup is anxious, he will shed a lot more than normal.

Like other dog breeds, American Rottweiler dogs experience stress in the form of frequent urges to go to the bathroom. Except for a gut or digestive health issue, your puppy shouldn’t need to take regular trips to the bathroom. Of course, that is unless it’s stressed. Similarly, if your American Rottweiler suddenly stops going to the bathroom or urinates instantly after meeting a new canine, he’s claiming territory and is reacting to the mental strain. For those reasons, if you lack experience in handling an American Rottweiler, you should try gathering as much knowledge as possible before adopting an American Rottweiler pooch.

Unless you’re familiar with how your American Rottweiler normally behaves, you will have difficulty finding signs of stress and strain in your pup. Once you notice any signs of stress or unusual demeanor, it’s your responsibility to create a comfortable environment for your puppy.

If it’s an object, canine, or human that’s causing your American Rottweiler to stress out, keeping it away might help your pup cool down and de-stress. Similarly, if you try to distract and pamper him as you usually do, it can relieve their stress. And as for non-medicated treatment options, a comfortable environment and spoiling your American Rottweiler with treats can help it ignore stress signals.

Suppose the American Rottweiler doesn’t respond to calls or verbal cues. In that case, you can try engaging it through physical activity like throwing its favorite toy, exercising, or simply taking it for a stroll. Remember, male American Rottweiler dogs are calm and observing, so you won’t have difficulty identifying stress symptoms and taking appropriate measures to de-stress them.

On the other hand, if the stress symptoms persist despite putting away the cause of distress, you should see a veterinarian. They might advise medication, such as anxiety-reducing prescriptions, to help calm your American Rottweiler. Or, they can recommend the right Rottweiler behaviorist. On a medical basis, the stress conditions shouldn’t persist for longer than necessary if the cause of distress is no longer around.

Angry or anxious Rottweiler

Anxiety

Anxiety in dogs is just as natural as it is in humans. You may feel the need to let go of some steam when you’re stressed or suffering from anxiety. That’s also the case with an American Rottweiler puppy or adult dog. However, even when the breed is the same, dogs react differently to several types of mental strain and anxiety-like signs. American Rottweiler dogs are quite courageous and don’t easily fear their surroundings. However, it’s not uncommon to hear whining once or twice.

But if anxiety symptoms go untreated or undetected for some reason, it can lead to a sea of behavioral issues in your American Rottweiler. While you don’t have anything to fear, you must realize that an American Rottweiler losing their training and sense of behavior can be quite disruptive, especially inside a household. Anxiety disorders can spring up in your affectionate American Rottweiler if you fail to acknowledge the symptoms or help them.

There’s a range of causes behind anxiety disorders and similar symptoms in the American Rottweiler. The most common causes of anxiety in dogs include aging, fear, and separation. Read on to know more about the interesting working dog breed, the American Rottweiler.

As the name suggests, the American Rottweiler experiences separation anxiety when uncomfortable in a certain environment. An American Rottweiler may experience separation anxiety when it feels abandoned by its owner. Self-destructive or overall destructive behavior affecting the atmosphere becomes quite common in this anxiety condition. In addition to that, if the anxiety is fear-related, you have to be extra careful not to bring the fear triggering-object, human, or animal near your American Rottweiler—that is, unless it gradually adapts to the feeling and overcomes the emotion.

Your American Rottweiler can experience fear-related anxiety in the presence of strange animals or people that it hasn’t encountered before. Aside from this, strange noises or situations and unusual visual stimuli can also trigger intense anxiety in an American Rottweiler. It happens because American Rottweiler dogs are highly cautious of their surroundings and considerate enough to take in the situation around them before manifesting any symptoms of anxiety, stress, etc. Also, if your American Rottweiler starts barking unusually, it could be a sign of fear.

Just like that, as an adult American Rottweiler ages, it may start showing anxiety symptoms. The reason is that older dogs lose their cognitive abilities and experience various neurological symptoms, which begin with confusion and ultimately lead to severe anxiety. However, the real cause of concern is that anxiety symptoms can become recurrent if left untreated, which invokes higher chances for your beloved American Rottweiler to experience permanent anxiety disorders.

Aside from that, you cannot ignore the fact that when dogs face any sort of stress, they usually respond with aggression. In the case of the American Rottweiler, their muscular body structure and immense strength further emphasize the need to avoid aggression or try to control it at the very least. Note that the American Rottweiler dogs don’t cause any hurt or harm, but anxiety can induce fear, which is often a precursor to aggressive behavior. Hence, proper techniques and timely decisions to control anxiety symptoms and disorders are necessary.

If you notice your American Rottweiler pooping or peeing around the house, try to control the behavior with verbal cues or constantly highlighting the area designated for such activities. More so, try to discourage any interaction between your American Rottweiler and things, environments, people, or animals that can potentially trigger an anxious response. If you find it difficult to figure out the perfect remedy for your American Rottweiler dog’s anxiety or to control its behavior, a veterinarian can help.

The very first thing that a suitable American Rottweiler veterinarian will do is identify the cause and triggers of anxiety in your pup. Next, they will find any apparent reasons or otherwise identify underlying medical conditions that manifest as anxiety-like symptoms. Subsequently, as a non-medication approach, the veterinarian might suggest a behaviorist or American Rottweiler trainer. Preventative strategies work best to avoid any unpleasantness in the environment where your anxious American Rottweiler resides.

Conversely, it’s common to receive medications and prescriptions at the veterinarian’s discretion to help your American Rottweiler calm down. What kind of medication or treatment would work best for your American Rottweiler will depend on the analysis and comprehensive checkups the veterinarian performs. It’s normal to be alarmed at your American Rottweiler’s condition, especially if they take anti-depressant medications for their anxiety and stress disorders.

Physical Health of the American Rottweiler

It’s common among large and strong dog breeds to contract physical health issues and conditions. That’s why you should take time out of your schedule to take care of your American Rottweiler. Proper maintenance can involve giving your dog adequate exercise, medication, and attention, calming it down. Of course, before you provide any medications, be sure to learn all about physical health conditions that the American Rottweiler breed can develop.

Allergies

Nearly all animals have some form of allergy, depending upon their family, nature, physicality, and thousands of other factors. However, the main types of allergies that a healthy American Rottweiler might experience relate to food, skin, and coat. A broad category of diseases and illnesses can trigger allergies, even in healthy Rottweiler puppies.

For one, American Rottweiler dogs are highly energetic and muscular, which suggests why they need a high-quality and specifically protein-rich diet. Still, some American Rottweiler owners end up giving unhealthy snacks, excessive treats, and unnecessary people’s food. Unregulated eating can lead to severe allergic reactions because, despite a strong constitution, the internal health system can suffer from serious symptoms if fed the wrong diet.

Allergies can cause various symptoms that you must notice on time to make sure that your American Rottweiler receives the treatment and care it deserves. Some of the main symptoms include dry skin, itchy fur/coat, vomiting, gas problems, and more. The chances of food allergies are higher in dogs that consume a high-protein and caloric diet. While this doesn’t involve any serious implications at first, a free diet without any proper considerations can be a fatal blow to the overall health of American Rottweiler dogs with sensitive stomach issues. Thus, you have to take extra care and precautions.

The most common types of allergies that American Rottweiler dogs experience, apart from food allergies, include inhalant and skin allergies. If you think that experimenting with a new diet or skin prescription can benefit your American Rottweiler, you should take the necessary steps and consult the veterinarian first. Food and environment changes are among the main causes of allergies that American Rottweiler dogs experience soon after adoption.

Coming back to the food allergies, you must not forget that it’s not the entire diet balance that you have to maintain, but rather the proportion and presence of some ingredients in it. For example, dogs with highly sensitive stomach issues shouldn’t feed on raw beef, turkey, or chicken at any point. Additionally, the most common triggers for American Rottweiler dogs suffering from food allergies include raw meat and high-fat dairy products.

In addition to the allergies that some ingredients may cause in your American Rottweiler dog’s diet, internal health conditions can also play a significant hand in allergies. For example, inflammatory bowel diseases make American Rottweiler puppies and dogs extremely vulnerable to allergic reactions and severe symptoms. If you think your American Rottweiler’s current health changes are due to inflammatory bowel diseases or unusual bowel movement changes causing allergies, you can look for many signs.

Some of the most prominent signs include loose stool, mucus-filled stool, bloody mucus-stool, etc. Even so, you shouldn’t worry excessively if your dog is showing these allergy symptoms. There are many diet strategies that you can follow to make sure that your dog doesn’t experience any food-allergy-related symptoms. Moreover, suppose you think skin and coat allergies are spreading or getting worse. In that case, you can instantly reach out to a veterinarian who can assure proper diagnosis and provide appropriate care.

At any cost, avoid feeding chemical preservatives to your American Rottweiler. You should keep American Rottweilers away from ungraded, yet “high-quality” and chemical-preservative-containing diet food. While it’s a risk in itself, it can have severe implications for the health of your American Rottweiler puppy or dog.

While we’re on the subject of food allergies, you must know that inadequate diets without proper exercise to alleviate any gas or intestinal issues will only exacerbate current symptoms. So, if you think that your American Rottweiler ate a high-calorie diet or ate too much, introduce an after-diet exercise routine. Not only does this allow your American Rottweiler to feel relieved before encountering any gas issues, but it also ensures effective physical movement. And lastly, don’t forget to run a check on what kind of fabrics or materials in your household objects trigger allergic reactions in your American Rottweiler.

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Rottweiler scratching as if due to allergies or fleas

Gut Health

Gut health issues are highly common in the American Rottweiler dog breed. Gut health conditions can cause intestinal and stomach problems. For one, you must know that proper digestion is one of the main keys to fulfilling an American Rottweiler’s nutritional requirements, or those of any other dog breed for that matter. However, the grave concern for health safety arises from American Rottweiler puppies and dogs being vulnerable to gastrointestinal diseases and disorders.

To help you understand better, you should first know that a digestive disorder refers to a disruption in food absorption and digestion. Moreover, it also extends to changes in food passage throughout the digestive tract, which is among the most prominent causes of intestinal tract infections and bacteria buildups. There’s a wide variety of complications with gastrointestinal disorders that are strictly confined to nutritional deficiencies, electrolyte imbalances, dehydration, and acid-base proportion changes. Furthermore, gastrointestinal conditions can also cause malnutrition.

On top of all that, you shouldn’t forget that both adult and puppy American Rottweiler dogs require monitoring of their caloric intake and whether they’re getting all their nutrients. With healthy digestion, it’s easier for American Rottweiler dogs to rebuild their internal tissues and begin the repairing process inside the body. It is worth mentioning that through proper digestion, the intake of ingredients and absorption of food items can help effectively remove the food’s energy. Keeping that in mind, you must know that a range of digestive disorders tremendously hurt gastrointestinal health.

If you’re unable to watch over your dog for signs of gut health issues and digestive disorders, make sure that you pay a visit to the veterinarian. The vet might carry out multiple tests to identify the gut health condition and determine the underlying cause. There’s also a wide array of reasons why digestive disorders can occur. Firstly, eating something inappropriate can make your American Rottweiler sick. Bigger Rottweiler puppies eat something they shouldn’t when they deviate from their regular high-quality diet and switch to something they haven’t tasted in a long time or worse, ever. Food intolerance, or allergies as you may call it, is also a reason why most American Rottweiler owners prefer to take their pup to the vet instantly. For most dogs, infections and the absence of digestive enzymes can raise the severity of digestive disorders and gut health issues.

One of the major digestive disorders affecting gut health involves constipation, which can make life a living hell for most dog breeds, including your precious little American Rottweiler puppy. Constipation can result from dehydration, insufficient exercise, low-fiber food, or ingesting inedible items or food items. Aside from constipation, pancreatitis is also common in the American Rottweiler breed. This condition refers to the spreading infection and inflammation in the pancreas. Pancreatic insufficiency at chronic stages may manifest symptoms like huge soft feces sets, along with more hunger. The reason is that pancreatic discrepancies cause the body to absorb and digest fewer nutrients, which keep energy levels down and hunger levels up.

On the other hand, a major gut health issue among American Rottweilers is diarrhea. Although this health condition affects nearly all dog breeds, the American Rottweiler is among the most affected due to its well-built physique and nutritional requirements. Acute gastroenteritis involves infection and inflammation in the gastrointestinal tract. This infection is usually short-lived and can occur due to toxic or foreign object ingestion in American Rottweiler puppies and adult dogs.

While you may wish the best for your American Rottweiler puppy, there’s a wide range of considerations that comes into play when watching out for gut disease or disorder symptoms. The most common signs include vomiting, flatulence, weakness, regurgitation, constipation, and diarrhea. In short, most digestive disorders are prevalent throughout the American Rottweiler dog breed. However, only proper care and attention, along with the right treatment options, can yield the desired health levels in your American Rottweiler puppies.

Since digestive disorders and diseases regarding the gut health of your American Rottweiler involve diet, make sure that you are consulting the right experienced veterinarian in the field. Doing so will increase your American Rottweiler’s chances of recovering from any reversible digestive disorders. The vet may plan a special diet that’s easy for your American Rottweiler puppy to digest and absorb. Hence, it could prevent low energy levels and boost mood.

One of the best home remedies for digestive disorders involves making sure that your American Rottweiler is hydrated. Also, provide soluble fiber-full diets to ensure that your Rottweiler’s digestive system can easily absorb the required nutrients while ensuring firm stools.

If gut health issues, including any digestive disorders, remain persistent in your American Rottweiler, make sure that you discuss nutritional management and lay specific emphasis on diagnosis. Discussing diet plans can play a critical role in your American Rottweiler dog’s recovery from digestive disorders. The vet may also prescribe a medication for your dog.

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Eye Health

The American Rottweiler is among the most hardworking and strong dog breeds. However, they tend to experience various eye-related health issues, diseases, and conditions. The list of eye diseases and problems in American Rottweiler groups includes cataracts, entropion, conjunctivitis, and progressive retinal atrophy (discussed later in the article). On the other hand, the American Rottweiler breed is also susceptible to a list of abnormal eye health conditions, such as cysts, growths, and tumors.

Since the American Rottweiler relies heavily on their instinct of observation, their vision is one of the main drivers for regular activities. However, losing sight or experiencing mild to severe eye disease symptoms can disrupt the lifestyle of American Rottweiler dogs.

If you’re a new American Rottweiler parent, you should know that cataracts are one of the most prevalent conditions. This condition starts on the eye surface, usually in one eye, before spreading to another. The opaque cloudy formation in the eyes disrupts and hinders the vision and can manifest as soon as the American Rottweiler is six months or older. Normally, this eye disease transfers from one American Rottweiler parent to another through breeding and reproduction.

Your American Rottweiler might stop climbing up and down the stairs and may appear reluctant to move at all during certain times of the night. The eye specifications might change slightly, leading to modified pupils. Furthermore, it’s quite common to note American Rottweilers with cataracts scratching their eyes.

There are quite a few ways to treat cataracts in American Rottweiler dogs, including medication and non-medication treatment options. Often, diagnosis reveals the need for medication and surgery, and in some cases, even one of these is enough. It’s up to the vet since they will be the ones suggesting the right solution for your American Rottweiler’s problem.

The upper and lower eyelids roll inwards and start irritating the eyes from the inside in some American Rottweilers. This condition, entropion, causes your lovely Fido to keep scratching and rubbing its eyes, which leads to further rashes, irritations, and painful inflammation. Overall, the condition can be extremely painful for your American Rottweiler, and if you don’t possess treatment experience or medication at home, consult a veterinarian immediately.

During the manifestation of this painful condition, the eyelids roll farther inwards day by day because they were left without proper treatment. As a result, American Rottweiler dogs start squeezing them extremely tightly. This sign is a clear indicator that your American Rottweiler is suffering from entropion. Consequently, you can get prescriptions and medications based on the veterinarian’s discretion.

Upon thorough examination and diagnosis, depending on the condition of your American Rottweiler dog, the vet can potentially offer several forms of solutions. For instance, they may ask you to provide your American Rottweiler with certain antibiotics, anti-inflammatory aids, and similar prescriptions. It’s best to avoid giving such medication to your unhealthy American Rottweiler on your own without proper vet counseling.

The American Rottweiler is vulnerable to developing chronic and extremely painful tumors and eye growths that may form cysts in the long term. While these kick down the appearance and visual appeal of the American Rottweiler, the cysts, growths, or even cancerous tumors could start hanging on the side of your American Rottweiler’s eyelids.

While the growth of tumors and cysts on the American Rottweiler’s eyes is common, it doesn’t mean that you should ignore it in any instance. The cysts and tumors can grow at any stage during the life of your American Rottweiler. However, they are normally the consequence of breed predisposition and gland issues. At any cost, don’t forget to regularly weigh the cyst, valve, and other body components to make sure that you are up to date with the ongoing eye health issue of your American Rottweiler.

The condition becomes more intolerable and painful for American Rottweiler as the cysts, tumors, or abnormal gland growths grow heavier. The cysts and tumors can be cancerous or benign. One of the main things is that they tend to worsen quite rapidly without appropriate setting and care. A visit to the vet can guide you better about your dog’s eye condition and possible treatment options.

During the initial growths and cysts on the eyelids of the American Rottweiler, the swelling isn’t so easy to notice. Until you see the weight and swelling on the eyelids of your American Rottweiler, the benign tumors might have progressed. Nevertheless, some of the most noticeable symptoms include constant itching and rubbing on the eyes along with inflamed cornea.

To help your American Rottweiler get rid of the unclean and bacterial cysts or growths on the eyelids, keep the eye area on the face clean with the best dog cleaning products. Discuss your options with the veterinarian to discuss the treatment options for your beloved Rottweiler Fido.

Among different conditions and health problems, the most common involves Progressive Retinal Atrophy (PRA). Let’s discuss the details of this highly common eye-health condition in American Rottweiler dogs.

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Progressive Retinal Atrophy (PRA) Regarding American Rottweiler

Atrophy refers to the wasting away of one or more body parts completely, and in the context of American Rottweiler, PRA refers to the degeneration and destruction of photoreceptor cells. The mentioned cells play a crucial role in enabling vision. The cells don’t degenerate overnight but rather deteriorate over time until the dog loses sight completely. Since this progressive disease has no reversible effects or 100-percent-effective treatment options, protective measures can help keep predispositions at bay.

Considering the brief information above, let’s fall back to the predispositions and key points that relate specifically to the American Rottweiler. For one, the American Rottweiler is a highly social dog breed, which means that they love interacting with humans and other dog breeds. For Rottweilers, this experience could transform their lifestyle. Nevertheless, they rely on other powerful senses, including smell and taste. But contracting this group of degenerative diseases can severely reduce the quality of life for the American Rottweiler.

There are two types of degenerative diseases: Centralized Progressive Retinal Atrophy (CPRA) and Generalized Progressive Retinal Atrophy (GPRA). As an illness, PRA is mainly hereditary, and therefore, it’s dangerous to breed an affected American Rottweiler with another dog. Doing so could be hazardous for the Rottweiler puppies. A Rottweiler puppy can get diagnosed with PRA at an early age of around 2-3 months. Note that PRA isn’t the official name of the illness during the early stages. Veterinarians use “retinal dysplasia” to refer to degenerative diseases manifesting symptoms in a young Rottweiler puppy.

Likewise, animal health experts detect late onset of PRA in big Rottweiler dogs at the age of 3-9. Since the American Rottweiler life expectancy is 8-12 years (9 years on average), it is worth mentioning that a female Rottweiler dog can enjoy an extended lifespan by two years, as discussed beforehand. This progressive disease affects the American Rottweiler life expectancy because it’s hard for a Rottweiler puppy to overcome, depending on the care he receives.

The Rottweiler puppy owner should spend enough time teaching it different routes based on verbal cues. If you are struggling with a similar situation, avoid removing or changing the position of house furniture or objects to let your Rottweiler puppy move around easily. Try taking the same stroll routes to prevent discrepancies. Lastly, ensure that you’re feeding your American Rottweiler puppy a consistent diet that is high-quality and suitable for its age.

Happy rottweiler dog running in the yard

Ear Health

No dog owner can deny the commonness of ear infections, especially in American Rottweiler dogs who have floppy ears. A large proportion of the doggy kingdom is susceptible to ear infections. A wide range of ear infections and diseases can progress slowly, affecting one or both ears depending on the severity. However, there are also many options in the arsenal of medical treatments to help the American Rottweiler recover from ear infection episodes and chronic symptoms that cause discomfort and immense pain.

For your information, there are three different forms of ear infections, including otitis media, interna, and externa. All three types of ear infections impose other health implications. For example, in otitis interna, infections occur in the inner ear canal, whereas in otitis media, the infections occur in the middle ear canal. Similarly, as the name suggests, otitis externa causes inflammation on the external cell layers of the ear. Otitis externa is what gives rise to otitis media and interna.

Otitis interna and media can be extremely difficult to deal with once they cause visible effects to your American Rottweiler’s health. The effects of these ear canal infections include deafness, paralysis on the face, and even vestibular signs. Ear infections are critical in American Rottweilers because this breed has floppy ears, giving rise to progressive infections.

Now that we have discussed the physical implications of inner and middle ear infections, including the effect of facial paralysis, you should learn about the warning signs of any springing ear infection. By noticing the early symptoms of ear infections in your American Rottweiler, you can help them find the right remedy and appropriate health-specific solution on time. Although ear infections cause nothing more than a buildup and fluid discharge initially, you have to remain alert and mindful of what kind of symptoms raise red flags and possibilities of ear infections in your American Rottweiler.

When your American Rottweiler puppy or adult dog starts giving off an unpleasant odor near the face and ear, it could be a potential sign of ear infections. Other symptoms include head shaking, pain, dark fluid discharge, ear canal inflammation/swelling, ear-scratching, and itchiness. Keeping an eye out for these kinds of activities and sudden habit changes of your American Rottweiler can help you spot ear infections at an early stage. It’s a no-brainer that identifying a medical condition in its early stages increases the chances of working towards the right treatment.

Compared to humans, American Rottweilers have a vertical ear canal. The L-shape is instrumental in helping to hold the ear canal fluid. But the buildup of fluid raises the risk of yeast or bacterial infections. In some cases, American Rottweilers suffer from both types. Having skin or even food allergies could increase the chances of American Rottweiler dogs experiencing ear diseases. Moreover, when the autoimmune system suffers disruptions and physical discrepancies, the chances of protection against ear infections and illnesses in the American Rottweiler are extremely low.

A buildup of wax and moisture inside the ear canal allows yeast and bacteria to thrive in the required environment. Visit your dog’s veterinarian if you notice any symptoms or signs like those above. Detecting any predispositions beforehand should make you attentive towards your American Rottweiler’s health.

Avoid solving ear infections at home by yourself, especially if you don’t have the required experience or knowledge. Seeing a veterinarian as early as possible will not only save you time and effort but will be a relief from pain for your American Rottweiler. More importantly, by reviewing, diagnosing, and treating, the veterinarian can effectively limit the spread of ear infection, contain it, and then try to rectify it through medication and non-medication options.

The veterinarian will inquire about your dog’s current health, activities, diet, exercise, and many other aspects. Then, he will ask for a history of the last few months as well. After considering your answers and reviewing the medical history of the American Rottweiler, the veterinarian will try to come up with a treatment plan that is effective enough to restrict the spread of ear diseases and infections.

The treatment won’t begin until the veterinarian cleans and wipes away the removable wax, fluid, and bacteria from the external ear canal cell layers. The best advice in terms of medications encompasses ear cleansers and topical creams to support ear health at home. Anti-inflammatory and antibiotic drugs are also applicable in rare cases under the vet’s discretion.

The treatment methods that your vet has prescribed for your American Rottweiler will take a week or two to take effect. Alternately, Total Ear Canal Ablation is a surgical treatment method in which the veterinarian removes the affected part of the ear canal to offer relief from chronic stage ear infections.

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Immune Health

When your American Rottweiler’s body loses the ability to internally fight harmful microorganisms and protect itself from a variety of infections, it becomes prone to some fatal immune health issues, disorders, and diseases. The American Rottweiler dog breed is prone to Subaortic Stenosis (SAS), which is the narrowing of the region under the aortic valve. The heart muscles experience fatigue during this condition as they’re overworking to pump blood through the valves. Sudden death is also possible in this condition.

In case of noticing any murmur sound near the heart, you should instantly take your American Rottweiler to the veterinarian for immediate tests and diagnoses. However, remember that most American Rottweiler puppies experience death from SAS before entering adulthood.

Another major cause of concern surrounds the possibility of your American Rottweiler contracting Inflammatory Bowel Disease or, as most experts call it, IBD. The condition refers to when plasmocytes and lymphocytes (immune system cells) swarm the intestinal wall linings in American Rottweiler dogs and puppies.

Once the immune system cells swarm and make the intestinal linings thick, there is a decline in food absorption effectiveness and efficiency. Hence, low energy levels and malnutrition become the most probable consequences of a poor immune system. In IBD, chronic vomiting, stress, and diarrhea are the most commonly known symptoms. In some cases, vomiting reaches chronic stages, or intestinal parasites lead to additional symptoms and signs. These signs easily help you determine that your American Rottweiler isn’t feeling well and requires maximum healthcare support.

Since there is no cure for Inflammatory Bowel Disease, the only way to help your dear American Rottweiler is through home remedies. For one, if you take your American Rottweiler to the veterinarian in case of an immune health issue, one of the first things they will do is perform an intestinal biopsy, which will give them a comprehensive look into the intestinal conditions. In rare instances, the permanent prevalence of IBD in an American Rottweiler requires lifelong prescriptions and similar treatment options.

Among the dangerous conditions American Rottweiler dogs face today, including young puppies, Addison’s disease damages the internal gland system. The body of your American Rottweiler requires a certain level of hormones from the adrenal glands to keep functioning normally. However, hormone levels can become uneven when the immune system fails, and the adrenal gland network faces abnormal changes and distortions. It can be fatal to some American Rottweiler puppies and dogs, but it usually allows a small time window for veterinarians to perform blood tests.

The test results allow the veterinarians to monitor the blood hormone levels and any harmful microorganisms and other concentrates that can potentially aggravate the condition. Bleeding disorders are also prevalent among large dog breeds, including the American Rottweiler. The severity ranges from acute to mild to severe, and it’s quite difficult to notice the condition and immune health issue until it progresses to a chronic stage. The major bleeding disorder Von Willebrand’s disease involves a blood-clot disorder that’s quite common in Rottweilers.

Following the blood clot disorder, you must know that parvo is among the deadliest of illnesses in the range of immune health issues that the American Rottweiler faces. This virus can cause severe fevers, bloody diarrhea, vomiting, and an ongoing list of chronic symptoms. Since they’re old enough, bigger American Rottweilers can get high fevers and bloody diarrhea, while puppies are prone to getting deadly ill with various symptoms. The American Rottweiler breed is less responsive to the parvovirus vaccines than other dog breeds, which makes it more vulnerable to illness.

In reality, veterinary experts suggest that your American Rottweiler should get a booster vaccine shot right after one or two months of getting the parvovirus vaccine.

Lastly, the American Rottweiler is prone to experiencing allergies to a high degree. For example, you sneeze when you get an allergy due to mold or pollen. However, the American Rottweiler, or any other dog breed, gets itchy when it faces an allergic reaction.

Nearly all American Rottweilers have “atopy,” which is the name of this skin allergy. The belly, feet, ears, and skin folds are affected the most. The common symptom that you will notice in this immune health issue is that your American Rottweiler Fido will keep rubbing the face, licking its paws, and feeling pain due to ear infections. Although there are tons of treatment options available to counteract the symptoms of immune health issues and skin allergies, you have to stay cautious as an American Rottweiler owner, especially if you have puppies.

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Joint Health

When talking about the American Rottweiler, there are many joint considerations. However, since you know that they are a highly active, energetic, and very muscular dog species, you must realize that a single joint or bone issue can disrupt their activeness and limit their abilities. This is a major concern for dog lovers who adore the breed. You have to worry about various joint issues when adopting an American Rottweiler puppy, or puppies, for that matter. By expanding your knowledge about the common health diseases and risks that your pet American Rottweiler dogs face, you can prepare beforehand for the right treatment and preventive measures.

American Rottweiler dogs can be as tall as 27 inches (male) or 25 inches (female). Regardless of gender, the dog species is extremely powerful and muscular. The evidence of the strength and vigor of this ancient and last-century military dog breed lies in its traditional purposes, such as pulling meat-laden carts and engaging on battlefields and guard posts.

Among the several musculoskeletal problems that arise in American and German Rottweiler dog species, arthritis is one of the main ones. The disease affects nearly all large and heavy-built dog species. Since arthritis involves the deterioration of the cartilage between the knee and leg joints, it results in friction. That harsh frictional movement causes severe pain when the action involves the affected part or, more accurately, that joint of the body.

The benefit of informing the vet about symptoms of early arthritis in your American Rottweiler is that it can receive timely medical support. The treatment of arthritis for an American Rottweiler extends to scheduled exercise, a special diet, and nutrition plans. Moreover, fighting obesity is a great cause for those pet owners who want their American Rottweiler to get better again.

Obesity has been one of the main causes of arthritis in the American Rottweiler dog breeds and others. However, your American Rottweiler can also experience any foot, leg, or joint injury. Such injuries can inflict serious damage to the cartilage, allowing free movement between the bones of the legs.

Interestingly, four tough tissue bands hold each knee together in the American Rottweiler’s body. You may call each band of tissue a cranial cruciate ligament. The cranial cruciate ligament involves the tissues that tear during strenuous exercise, injury, or genetic deformity. It is one of the most common injuries that reduce the activeness in American Rottweiler dogs. For that reason, there are also several treatment options available in the pet healthcare industry. For one, physical therapy and exercise rehabilitation has proven to be one of the best remedies for American Rottweilers that have experienced torn ligaments.

Another thing that you should know is that arthritis is a cause of a lot of pain, which means once your dog gets it, you must help them manage the condition. Avoid excessive twisting movements while playing with your dog to avoid painful injuries.

Furthermore, you can offer nutritious diet plans and gradually change the diet. Avoid going cold turkey even if the current diet isn’t as beneficial as the one in hand. Another joint issue involves dysplasia, which is normally a hereditary disease causing improper joint development around the body. It also results in arthritis. In the American Rottweiler, bone stiffness is highly common in the elbows and hips.

Bone stiffness, in fact, can be a growing concern. This is because the American Rottweiler matures as the bone enlarges and strengthens, while the dysplasia imposes stiffness which makes it painful for the dog breed. Without any delay, you must try to figure out the best possible solution for your American Rottweiler. The sooner you notice the symptoms, the more effective your dog’s diagnoses and treatments will be.

You should look for several symptoms on the list of signs you may notice when your American Rottweiler experiences hip and elbow dysplasia. You may see that your American Rottweiler no longer wishes to go on the same stroll route or shows lameness when you’re trying to exercise or play with it. Often, veterinarians will perform the diagnosis, and after assessing the existing condition, they will suggest antibiotics and anti-inflammatory drugs to reduce the pain and discomfort. Meanwhile, surgeries are also applicable once the vet deems it necessary based on the X-ray results and medical history.

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Rottweiler puppies climbing over each other to reach food bowl

Skin and Coat

You will find a ton of different breeds and in different colors at that. However, when it comes to the American Rottweiler, you will only encounter one unique coat style and color. There isn’t much variation in the coat color. It’s mainly a black coat with small rust-tan spots all over the body. The outer layer of the fur coat is flat, short, and coarse. Moreover, the neck comprises an undercoat as well as the thighs. A healthy American Rottweiler doesn’t require extensive maintenance routines for those looking forward to adopting one.

Instead, the routine involves brushing the skin and bathing the dog weekly. Shedding is entirely natural through the four seasons. Despite all the good qualities and features of the American Rottweiler, they are prone to skin allergies and coat health issues. Without a doubt, being an ancient breed, the Rottweiler has an amazing history, background, and purpose. They are prone to skin and coat-related diseases, mainly allergies and conditions.

The American Rottweiler is susceptible to atopic dermatitis, seborrhea, folliculitis, eczema, and skin allergies. When only talking about skin allergies, the real culprits could mainly be inhalants, food, and contact allergens. Skin allergies cause utmost discomfort and make the lives of American Rottweilers extremely difficult.

Although many dog breeds don’t struggle with food allergies, the American Rottweiler is one breed that is prone to several sensitivities and food allergens. The credit for this goes to their sensitive stomach, and that’s one reason why experts suggest bland hypoallergenic diets for the American Rottweiler. The ingredients that American Rottweilers are allergic to include colorants, food additives, grains, fillers, beef, dairy, chicken, and turkey.

The allergic reaction spot could be anywhere on its body. While humans sneeze when allergic, dogs experience itchy and other sorts of coat and skin issues when they encounter food, inhalant, or contact allergies. The skin can get so rough, dry, and scratchy that you will come across your American Rottweiler biting, pawing, and licking all over its body. An American Rottweiler can also try to chew its skin to get rid of the pain and discomfort during allergic reactions.

In terms of contact allergy, you can easily detect the allergic spot on the skin and coat of your American Rottweiler. When your American Rottweiler has experienced several types of allergies in the past, take note of the allergic reaction spots on its body. While this will give you the best idea of which skin and coat spots itch the most, you can also prevent your American Rottweiler from over-rubbing and over-scratching. This is necessary because scratching or chewing with nails or teeth can cause serious coat issues.

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Atopic dermatitis is another form of allergy that affects the skin. The inflammation in this skin allergy condition is quite severe and affects the skin areas around the joints, face, underside, paws, and ears. The itchiness under atopic dermatitis allergy is dry and inflamed, which means that early care and treatment can be fruitful and comforting for your pain. Taking preventive measures can help ensure that the chances of these allergic reactions taking place are at a minimum.

Several causes lead to skin allergies, such as the environment of your home, where your American Rottweiler lives. If the American Rottweiler puppy or adult dog is allergic to a certain plant in the surrounding, it’s best to either relocate that flowering plant or switch your dog’s route so that it doesn’t come in contact with it.

Not meeting your American Rottweiler’s nutritional requirements on a daily basis can aggravate its condition. Additionally, don’t forget the pollen cleaning agents and some plastics that can potentially cause the Rottweiler dogs to experience skin irritation, which results in inflammation and allergic reactions for short periods.

You can try hypoallergenic products and keep the house clean as much as possible to ensure that no inhalant, food, or contact allergens affect your American Rottweiler’s health negatively. For dietary allergies, vet-approved diet plans might meet the need for all important nutrients, along with necessary water content. Contact your American Rottweiler’s veterinarian to discuss the dietary needs and requirements following any underlying medical conditions. Whether it’s pollen or a food ingredient, keep your American Rottweiler away if there are higher chances of it experiencing an allergic reaction.

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